November 27, 2001 Minutes

Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of November 27, 2001

Board Chair Virginia Dambach called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM

Present: Board members Virginia Dambach, Ryn Pitts, Betty Kerns, Jean Rayl, and Prakash Mathew
Library Director Charles Pace
Staff members: Edie Discher, Sandy Boutain, and President of the Friends Bev Quamme

Order of Agenda
Betty Kerns made the motion to approve the order of agenda. Prakash Mathew seconded the motion; the motion carried. The board would like to add a section for Public comment to the minutes meeting.

Minutes
There were no additions or corrections of the minutes. Jean Rayl made the motion to accept the minutes of the meeting of October 23, 2001. Betty Kerns seconded the motion; motion carried.

Staff Reports
There were no staff reports at the meeting on November 27, 2001.

LSSI Management
Charles Pace and Beth Postema met with the architect, Richard Moorhead and Pat Zavoral regarding the future renovation/expansion of the main library. Richard Moorhead will be developing 3 to 4 drawings for concept to present to the board for future development. This will give us ideas of different directions we can take in the expansion of the library. We are looking to expand an additional 10,000 to 15,000 square feet to the main library. Properly remolded this main structure should last at least 15 to 20 years.

Charles Pace attended a meeting with Bob Stein to discuss library parking in the civic lot. Mr. Stein has been developing a plan that should give us 25 to 28 designated parking spots in the civic lot. We will still use the curbside cut out that is already in place so no construction will be required. Mr. Stein is ordering movable barriers and the library is ordering signage for the area. This area will be designated for library customers except on event days at the civic center. On those occasions, the barriers will be removed and that section of the lot will be open for use by the civic center. This will be a low cost fix which should alleviate parking difficulties at the main library, but this is not a permanent long-term fix to the problem.

Statistics
November was a relatively steady month in terms of circulation. Adult print was up 5% over the same time a year ago. Youth print was up a strong 16%, and youth non-print saw an incredible 293% increase. Overall, our total circulation is up a very healthy and respectable 14%. Other impressive figures include a 95% increase in program attendance and a 41% increase in total electronic activity. Collection statistics also show the feverish pace of activity, total materials added are up more than 60% vs October of 2000. Total withdrawals have seen an increase of 186%. This activity will lay the groundwork for a stronger, more up to date collection in the years to come.

Our fall story time presentations are going very well, we are averaging between 175 – 200 children a week at these programs. The toddler hour on Saturday’s has really taken off with up to 25 toddlers per session.

In our November newsletter, we have established a teen advisory council. This group of young people are helping us plan and implement the new Youth Adult computer center, a project made possible by a grant from the FM Area Foundation.

Literacy Day that was held on November 1, 2001. This is part of our ongoing efforts to promote literacy and reading in the community. Charles Pace was not able to attend as he had to travel to Bismarck to defend our request for LSTA funds to supplement the Gates grants. The Gates grants have both been completed and forwarded to the Gates Foundation.

Friends of the Fargo Public Library
Friends Liaison Bob Mason was unable to attend the meeting on November 27, 2001. In his place was President of the Friends Bev Quamme. Bev reported on the used book sales:

  • November 30, at 2:00 am – 6:00 pm.
  • December 1, at 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Continuing Business

A. Request for approval of Long- Range plan
Ryn Pitts would like to have the Mission/Vision statement broken down into separate statements.

Virginia Dambach will be writing the “Message from the Board” segment of the plan.

When those corrections having been made, the Long-Range plans would be approved.

B. Storefront up-date
The RPF was placed in The Forum on November 12 and 19, 2001. Charles Pace has not received any completed proposals back at this time. The deadline is December 7, 2001 for the proposals. We would like to have a lease agreement in place by January 1, 2002.

New Business

A. Request for approval of new library logo.
The board members did not approve the Fargo Public Library logo on November 27, 2001. Virginia Dambach would like to wait until the next meeting on December 18, 2001 at 4:00 pm for further discussion.

B. Request for approval of Internet Policy.
The board members did give their final approved on the Internet use Policy (#004-2001) on November 27, 2001.

C. Request for approval of revised Conduct Rules.
The board members did give their final approved on the Rules of Conduct Policy (#007-2001) on November 27, 2001.

Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on December 18, 4:00 pm in the meeting room.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Sandy Boutain